What was I thinking??

For the last two years I've allowed my OCD to dictate how I put away beaner's toys. Blocks get put away with other blocks, jewelry goes in it's case, food in the play kitchen, Little People in their bin....and so on, and neverendingly so forth. It was getting so time consuming and yet, I kept doing it. Until this week, that is. Something snapped in my brain and I had a moment. I literally said out loud "if no one else cares how they're sorted, why do I?"
Let me tell you folks, it was a frigging epiphany or something equally as awesome and rare. I giggled with maniacal glee as Little People were thrown in with the tea set, blocks started cavorting with dinky cars, and, GASP!, puzzle pieces were thrown haphazardly in a bucket instead of being put back in the puzzle. Once I get more bins for the Expedit, there will be more toy mingling happening as everything gets thrown in together.

It may not seem like much to some people, but to break that little compulsion of mine is a HUGE deal and really a massive time saver. It only took 2 years of meticulous toy separating for me to finally say enough is enough.

Now, if only I could convince Beaner that she really doesn't need to sleep with her entire book and toy collection....

A Flat Forehead Moment

There are some days when the light bulb burns brightly above my head. There are some days when the light bulb is not only dark, I can't remember where I put the damn thing. Today, thankfully, started off with a shining bulb, courtesy of the little bean.

I work from home, as I have for the past 6 years, maintaining client accounts for an oil & gas company. My schedule is completely set by me, aside from having to answer the phone when calls come in, or responding to a client's email. The gift of not putting our bean in daycare or preschool is something I am thankful for every day.

Working from home can present unique roadblocks, however. Trying to remain professional and deal with a client call can be difficult when your child is screeching at the top of her lungs and pulling your shirt off in an effort to get in your lap to slam on your keyboard or take the phone out of your hand so she can call Daddy (let me tell you, that is only cute once, tops).

Today bean decided to teach me how to get work done and keep her happy. Imagine my surprise when she pushed her chair up beside mine, plopped her favorite bear in it, and proceeded to feed him cheerios. She then went one step further and climbed in and starting having a pretend breakfast with him while I dealt with a particularly weird IT issue with my company's website.

My moment of luminary brilliance came when I put her v-tech laptop in front of her and told her she can work beside me while I work. We've been sitting side by side happily for the last hour, working on our respective projects in peace. Me with clients, her with the balloon blast game.

She's just packed her laptop up and informed me that she has to go to work now. Have a good day honey!

Around The House

While thinking of things to do with jelly bean on a cold, wet, Sunday afternoon, I remembered a bag of makeup sponges in various geometric shapes.

Shapes are all the rage in our house these days. "Mommy! That's a circle" "I has triangle!"

I poured a few different bowls of paint, threw down a dropcloth, handed her the sponges and some paper and I let her go to town.

 And to town she went!

At some point, she forgot about the sponges altogether.

For half a bag of dollar store sponges and some paint, I had a very happy toddler and some new art for our walls. I can see us running out of space soon!

Let's Get This Party Started

Martha Strikes Again

Martha Stewart, via OhDeeDoh, brings us yet another fabulous idea. Use an embroidery hoop to keep laundry bags open!

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